Most materials in library databases have either gone through the peer review process or reviewed by a professional editor. Visit our peer review guide to learn more. However, information and images on the free web (Internet) can be posted by anyone since there is no mandatory screening process. Some materials on the free web may have been reviewed by an editor, but most never have been.
Also, it can be difficult to find what you need on the Internet with millions of results. Library databases are tailored towards specific audiences, often deal with specific subjects such as agriculture or musical recordings, and collects related materials all in one location. This allows for more efficient searching.
On the free web, you can find current information from ranging from celebrity gossip to satire and opinion. But when it comes to trusted factual sources, historical information is often not free. Databases such JSTOR may contain both older and current information; publications may go back to the first issue of journal.